By Debra Talcott
Legal News
John Nussbaumer, dean of the Auburn Hills Campus of Cooley Law School, was honored with the State Bar of Michigan’s Champion of Justice Award in a ceremony held September 29 at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. Nussbaumer, an alumnus of the University of Michigan Law School, is the fourth Cooley faculty member to receive a major State Bar of Michigan Award in the past five years.
The Champion of Justice Award is given to practicing lawyers and judges who have “exhibited integrity and adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession, superior professional competence, and an extraordinary professional accomplishment that benefits the nation, the state, or the local community in which the lawyer or judge lives.”
In announcing the award, the State Bar of Michigan commended Dean Nussbaumer for his dedication to students and the community, saying that he “works passionately and tirelessly to innovate and to make a difference — whether it’s mentoring a law student, participating in pro bono or community service projects, or overseeing clinics that help domestic violence victims, families, seniors, and soldiers.”
When first learning he would join Cooley Associate Deans Nelson Miller and Joan Vestrand and Associate Professor Christopher Johnson Jr., who are earlier recipients of State Bar of Michigan awards, Nussbaumer felt honored to be included among their ranks.
“My honest first reaction when I received word that I had been selected was that I wasn’t sure my name really belonged on the same list as past and present winners, but that it sure was nice to be recognized,” said Nussbaumer.
On hand to witness Dean Nussbaumer receiving a beautiful engraved crystal bowl were his chief supporters: Sarah, his wife of 35 years, son Robert, daughter Elizabeth, and his mother-in-law JoAnn Daly. Cooley President and Dean Don LeDuc and many Cooley colleagues also were in attendance.
The State Bar spoke about Nussbaumer’s commitment to increasing diversity in the legal profession. Bar officials also cited his work to help disadvantaged citizens, who often go unrepresented, to gain access to legal representation, saying these are “goals that lie at the heart of Cooley Law School Dean John Nussbaumer’s 33-year-long legal career.”
Nussbaumer is known for writing and lecturing on these topics as well as on the misuse of and over-reliance on LSAT scores in college admissions. He helped launch the first Council of Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Sophomore Summer Institute in Michigan, which is part of a national program that has helped more than 8,000 disadvantaged groups achieve success in law school. Nussbaumer also was a presenter on law-related education programs at the State Bar of Michigan’s 2010 Bar Leadership Forum on Mackinac Island.
President LeDuc offered high praise for Nussbaumer, saying, “John encompasses the qualities that every lawyer should aspire to possess. In addition to being a skilled practitioner, John seeks to better his community and the profession through numerous initiatives, including many focused on diversity in the profession and free legal services for those in need.”
Nussbaumer, a 1976 honors graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, served as a law clerk to former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary S. Coleman and as an assistant public defender for the State Appellate Defender Office before joining the Cooley faculty in 1984. Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the nation, with nearly 14,000 graduates worldwide.
In talking about his award, Dean John Nussbaumer credited President LeDuc for the culture of service he has fostered at Cooley.
“This award is really a testament to Cooley Law School President and Dean Don LeDuc’s leadership in providing access to a legal education to those who are willing to work hard to meet Cooley’s rigorous academic standards and to the culture of ethics, service, and professionalism that he has encouraged and supported. It is also a testament to the Cooley faculty members and staff who have worked hard to implement the programs that I’ve been fortunate to lead.”
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